DIEMACO - COLT CANADA
Now known as Colt Canada, is a Canadian small arms manufacturer. Diemaco is known for the C7 series of rifles. The C7 is the Canadian version of the American M16, and since 1982. Diemaco rifles are known for their excellent quality. Diemaco rifles are currently in use by Canada, The Netherlands, Norway, Denmark, The United Kingdom and Botswana
There are various versions of the C7 rifle:
The C7, C8. C7A1, C8A1, C7A2, C8A3, C8A3, C7NLD, C8NLD, M/10, L119A1, L119A2, MRR, C20, C7LSW, LOAWNLD.
The Original C7's development began in the early 80's , parallel to the M16A2. Mechanically, the C7 functions the same as the standard M16(A1), and the C7 kept the M16(A1) style of rear iron sight, but had the M16A2 forward assist and furniture. The C7 was the standard issue rifle of Canada, The Netherlands and Denmark.
The C8 is the carbine variant of the C7, it features a 14.5 inch - 368mm barrel.
The C7A1 (C7FT - C7 Flat Top) came out a few years later after the introduction and adoptation of the C7. The C7A1 featured a flat top receiver with a weaver rail mount. he "Canadian Rail" or "Diemaco Rail" differs slightly. There are 14 slots instead of 13, and each slot is narrower. The height of the rail is also higher, allowing the use of normal-height front sight post whereas a Picatinny rail requires the use of a higher F-marked front sight post. The C7A1 was issued with the Elcan C79 (SpecterOS3.4x) 3.4x illuminated optical sight. Or with a simple plastic BUIS.
The C8A1 is the carbine variant of the C7A1 with a C8 barrel, the C8A2 is similair to the C8A1, but it has a heavier barrel.
The C7A2, the second iteration of the C7. With the involvement of Canadian forces in Afghanistan, the Canadian forces developed improvements, resulting in the C7A2. It featured a 4 position CAR15 - C8 styled collapsible stock, new green furniture, tri-ad clamp on rail, ambidextrous controls and optionally a cadex folding front grip. Currently still the standard issue rifle of Canada.
The C8A3 has the improvements of the C7A2, the barrel (15.7 inch - 400mm) of the C8FTHB (flat top heavy barrel).
The C7NLD is the standard issue rifle of The Netherlands, modernized from the C7-C7A1. In 2009, The Netherlands revealed the C7 and C8NLD during Prinsjesdag. It featured the new Colt Canada Integrated Upper Receiver (IUR), meaning the upper receiver and handguard is one monolithic piece, and it features are true free float barrel. The C7 and C8 both use the same IUR, but the C7NLD has a plastic handguard extension with rails on the sides, this makes it easier for spare parts and logistics. The IUR features side panels on each side, where you can take them off for cleaning the inside of the handguard. The C7 and C8NLD are converted from the older C7, C7A1, C8 and C8A1. Giving it new upper receivers, buffer tube and buffer, ambidextrous fire selector, oversized magazine release, CAA stock (fun fact, the stock sits too loose on the buffer tube, so on all rifles there is a piece of tape sticked to the buffer tube to prevent rattling) and B&T grip-pod, Aimpoint compm4 red dot or SRIM.
The C7 and C8NLD are still the standard issue rifle and carbine of the Dutch Army, Navy and Airforce (retired by the Koninklijke mareschausse). But in 2022, the Dutch ministry of defense is looking for a replacement, since the rifle is showing its age. Some parts are getting replaced like the stock and for the bazillionth time new magazines. Not confirmed but something is speculate, the Dutch military will likely adopt the HK416, it is already in service with the Koninklijke Mareschaussee (Royal Police), Korps Commandotroepen (Special Forces) and engineer troops, and since the Dutch and German military are now merged, im 99.99% certain the HK416 will replace the C7NLD.
The M/10 is the Danish standard issue rifle, modernized from the M/95 and M/96 (C7 and C8). It too features a IUR. It started with the M/08 prototype rifle (featured the same IUR as on the C8NLD) and in 2010, the M/10 was adopted. It received mulitple updates. The M/10A2 uses a longer quadrail and Colt Canada stock, the M/10A4 uses a longer handguard with smooth sides and a small rail section in the front, with a magpul stock, and the M/10A4 is in FDE. The rifles are still issued with Elcan C79 optics.
In the mid 1990's, the UK chose the C8SFW, adoped in 2000 as the L119A1. The L119A1 features a heavy SFW (Special Forces Weapon) barrel for support fire, higher firing rate and more overgassed, a KAC quad rail and Trijicon ACOG optic. In 2014, the UK adopted the L119A2, modernized from the L119A1 with IUR similair to the M/10A4. It features ambidextrous controls and new furniture. The L119A2 features 2 uppers with different barrel lenghtss, 15.7 inch - 400mm and 10.9 inch - 277mm.
The C7LSW is the light support weapon variant of the C7A1, it features a heavier barrel, heavier handguard and monopod front grip, carry handle bipod. There is both open and closed bolt variant of the C7LSW, but the C7LSW was only adopted by The Netherlands and Denmark in the closed bolt configuration. In Dutch service it was designated the LOAW (Licht ondersteunend automatisch wapen) and in Danish as the M/04.
The LOAW was adopted only by the Dutch Navy (including the Marine Corps). With the C7 and C8NLD update package, the LOAW was updated too, only featuring a 6 position stock. It is unknown if this variant saw service or not. But the LOAW got updated to the LOAWNLD, with a free floating quad rail (not a IUR) and now issued with the aimpoint compm4.
